CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
〰️
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 〰️
I Wish I’d Known That… International IDIOSYNCRASIES
Thursday 30 April 2026
Pleasance Theatre
10.30 - 11.30
Cultural and business norms can vary greatly even within the same country. Our panelists share the lessons they learned the hard way and provide some key considerations for how to work effectively across a range of international markets.
Speakers:
Cesar Andion (Live Nation Spain)
Fruzsina Szep (Goodlive)
Plus more to be announced.
PPL: Get PLAYED, GET PAID
Thursday 30 April 2026
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
10.30 - 11.00
Starting and sustaining a career in music can be hard work, so understanding revenue streams is vital for any new artists. Whether it’s money from radio play, television, or your music being played in public, learn how revenue flows back through to the performer and rights-holder or record label, with insight and practical advice from PPL experts.
Speaker:
Leo O'Brien (PPL)
New Approaches To Promo - In With The Past?
Thursday 30 April 2026
Upper Hall
10:45 - 11:45
As social media platforms become more segmented and people increasingly opt out of the largest platforms, are physical promo, mailing lists and newsletters on the rise and how can these be integrated into campaigns from grassroots level artists to more established acts?
Speakers:
Hallie Anderson (Rareform)
Maz Sadr (Maz & The Phantasms
Moderator:
Ruth Barlow (Beggars Group)
Plus more to be announced.
VENUE VISION
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
11:15 - 11:30
From sustainable power supplies to artist accommodation and providing production, learn about the exciting plans Music Venue Trust is developing to strengthen touring, sustainability and the future of live music.
Speaker:
Beverley Whitrick (Music Venue Trust)
Off The Beaten Track
Thursday 30 April 2026
Pleasance Theatre
11:45 - 12:45
Speakers:
Chris Wemyss (MacArts)
Craig Corse (CCM)
Moderator:
Stina Tweeddale (Music Venue Trust)
Plus more to be announced.
From engaged local scenes to lower accommodation costs, we explore the benefits and key considerations of routing tours through smaller cities, towns and rural areas.
BUYING PROTECTION
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
11:45 - 12:00
An overview of the essential insurance coverage available for bands, songwriters, producers and DJ’s, from those just starting out to seasoned touring acts. Using real-life examples, it explains how the right protection can prevent costly setbacks when things go wrong.
Speakers:
Steven Howell (Howden Insurance)
Tracey Dove (Howden Insurance)
What is in a name?
Thursday 30 April 2026
Upper Hall
12:00 - 13:00
Speakers:
Jamie Watt (Harper MacLeod)
Rosie Watson (Different Creatures MGMT)
Kitty Faris-Orr (Clwb Ifor Bach/Kitty Ferrari)
Moderator:
Sarah Wall (PPL)
How to stand out and avoid (or mitigate) legal, cultural, creative and commercial risks.
ENCODING THE CODES
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
12:15 - 12:30
Rightsbridge's guide to the alphabet soup of initialisms thrown up when registering music explains why knowing an ISRC from an ICE and ISWC code, will help track recordings, compositions and royalties.
Speaker:
Jamie Gilmour (Rightsbridge)
HARMONIOUS BENEFITS
Thursday 30 April 2026
Pleasance Theatre
13:30 - 14:30
Speakers:
Catherine Martin (former culture minister of Ireland)
David McKenna (Centre National de la Musique, France)
Ingried Boussaroque (Quebec Government Director for Culture, UK, Ireland, Nordic Countries)
Moderator:
Martha Barr (artist, Indoor Foxes)
Plus more to be announced.
As Scotland pilots a universal basic income for artists, what lessons can be learned from other countries and their approaches to supporting musicians and music companies, with initiatives ranging from a daily allowance to radio quotas and travel discounts?
MEXICO’S CONVENTION
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
13:45 - 14:00
At the beginning of November, Mexico’s MUSICMEX convention is set to dovetail into Hipnosis, one of the country’s leading tastemaker festivals. The organisers of each provide an overview of how their combined forces present a unique opportunity for international guests.
Speaker:
Paco Barba (Grupo Indie Rocks!)
Valeria Ramos (MUSICMEX / MALFICO)
Thursday 30 April 2026
Upper Hall
14:45 - 16:15
Make it Count
From club shows, songwriting camps, DJ slots and guest lectures, we explore what additional opportunities could be developed around international festivals and showcase bookings, and how these can generate more outcomes for artists, build networks and establish more sustainable approaches.
Speakers:
Fruzsina Szép (Goodlive)
Thomas Heher (Waves Vienna)
Aniko Nagy (Sziget)
Janneke De Boer (ESNS)
Moderator:
Olaf Furniss (Wide Events CIC)
A RECORD OF SUSTAINABILITY
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
14:45 - 15:00
From digital test pressings, to materials made from recycled cooking oil and biodegradable packaging, DMS Vinyl outline the many ways they can ensure your next record release is more sustainable.
Speakers:
Chris Muirhead (DMS Vinyl)
Marcus Rees (DMS Vinyl)
Pitch to Win: The EmuBands Guide to DSP Pitching
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
15:15 - 15:30
Getting your track in front of the right curators starts long before you hit submit. EmuBands break down what makes a DSP pitch land, from crafting a compelling story to nailing timing and positioning. Alongside the fundamentals, this session dives into smart, strategic approaches such as waterfall releases and simple setup tweaks, which can open up more pitching opportunities and increase the likelihood of success.
Speaker:
SJ Andersen (EmuBands)
TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED SYNC
Syncs can generate income for artists singing in minority languages and niche recordings, dating back decades from far flung corners of the world. Mark Garfield outlines where the opportunities are, how to capitalise on them and highlights some of his more surprising placements.
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
15:45 - 16:00
Speaker:
Mark Garfield (Pop-Up Music)
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CO-WRITING
Award-winning songwriter Michelle Escoffery provides insider insights into getting the best out of co-writing sessions, including advance preparation, creating a conducive creative environment, to agreeing splits and registering tracks.
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
16:15 - 16:30
Speaker:
Michelle Escoffery (Ivor's Academy Trust / Newcastle Gateshead Music City)
LOCAL HEROES - GRANT MCPHEE
Thursday 30 April 2026
Upper Hall
16:30-17:30
Author and award-winning film-maker Grant McFee has meticulously chronicled Scotland’s contemporary musical history, conducting hundreds of interviews, as well as delving into sources including newspapers, fanzines, posters and even council meeting minutes from the 1970s.
His documentaries Teenage Superstars and Big Gold Dream, both won the audience prize at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, while his books chart the evolution of the punk, post, punk and independent scenes. They include Postcards From Scotland, Hungry Beat (co-written with Douglas MacIntyre) and most recently, Caledonia Screaming.
Find out what motivates the most diligent chronicler of the country’s defining musical chapters and how he is introducing epoch-defining scenes to viewers and readers at home and abroad.
Following the interview, Grant will be signing copies of his new book, Caledonia Screaming, which charts the emergence of Scottish punk.
Speakers:
Grant McPhee (Filmmaker and Writer)
Moderator:
to be announced
TOP TIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE GRASSROOTS TOURING
Pioneering sustainability initiatives by Massive Attack and Coldplay have made headlines, but grassroots artists on a tight budget can also make a difference. From travel to food, get the practical insights for greener touring.
Thursday 30 April 2026
15 Minutes of Knowledge
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
16:45 - 17:00
Speaker:
Alex Fintoni (A Greener Future)
A&R You Brave Enough?
Friday 1 May 2026
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
13:45-14:45
Artists are invited to submit tracks for feedback from media and music professionals.
Speakers:
Carlos de los Santos (Submarine Cat)
Scott Lewis (EMI North, Universal Music Group)
Moderator:
Michelle Escoffery (Ivor's Academy Trust / Newcastle Gateshead Music City)
Sync or Swim
Friday 1 May 2026
Pleasance Cabaret Bar
15:00-16:15
A rare opportunity to submit a composition to a panel of music supervisors who will give feedback on both the music and the essential metadata required to facilitate the licensing for adverts, film, games, streaming, trailers and TV. Priority will be given to delegates who have attended the Becoming Sync Ready Workshop on 25 March and submissions must be made via Disco. For more details on how to submit a track email hello@widedays.com.
Speakers:
Paulina Márquez García Moreno (Independent Music Supervisor)
Mark Garfield (Pop-Up Music)
Josh Rabinowitz (Brooklyn Music Experience)
Helena Gee (Hit The North Music)
Moderator:
Umong Shah (LPO)
